OVERVIEW

This spyware attempts to steal sensitive online banking information, such as user names and passwords. This routine risks the exposure of the user's account information, which may then lead to the unauthorized use of the stolen data. It attempts to steal information, such as user names and passwords, used when logging into certain banking or finance-related websites.

It attempts to get information from a list of banks or financial institutions.

It checks for the presence of the following processes which are related to Outpost Personal Firewall and ZoneLabs Firewall Client:

outpost.exe

zlclient.exe

It terminates if either of the said processes exist. This is to ensure that it runs uninterrupted. It also has rootkit capabilities, which enables it to hide its processes and files from the user.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

File Size: 83,456 bytes

File Type: PE

Memory Resident: Yes

Initial Samples Received Date: 04 Sep 2009

Arrival Details

This spyware may be downloaded from the following remote sites:

http://{BLOCKED}bilu.real-host.ru/sites/up.bin

Installation

This spyware drops the following copies of itself into the affected system:

%System%\sdra64.exe

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

It drops the following non-malicious files:

%System%\lowsec\local.ds - copy of the encrypted downloaded file

%System%\lowsec\user.ds - used to save the gathered information

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

It creates the following folders:

%System%\lowsec

(Note: %System% is the Windows system folder, which is usually C:\Windows\System32.)

It adds the following mutexes to ensure that only one of its copies runs at any one time:

_AVIRA_2109

It injects itself into the following processes as part of its memory residency routine:

SVCHOST.EXE

WINLOGON.EXE

Autostart Technique

This spyware modifies the following registry entry(ies) to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:

This spyware attempts to steal sensitive online banking information, such as user names and passwords. This routine risks the exposure of the user's account information, which may then lead to the unauthorized use of the stolen data.

It accesses the following site to download its configuration file:

http://{BLOCKED}bilu.real-host.ru/sites/up.bin

It attempts to access a website to download a file which contains information where the Trojan can download an updated copy of itself, and where to send its stolen data. This configuration file also contains the following list of targeted bank-related websites from which it steals information:

Important:Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this only if you know how to or you can seek your system administrator's help. You may also check out this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

On Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003: Click Start>Run, type REGEDIT in the text box provided, and then press Enter.

On Windows Vista and 7: Click the Start button, type REGEDIT in the Search input field then press Enter.

In the left panel, double-click the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows NT>CurrentVersion>Winlogon

In the right panel, locate the registry value: Userinit = "%System%\userinit.exe, %System%\sdra64.exe,"

Right-click on the value name and choose Modify. Change the value data of this entry to: Userinit = "%System%\userinit.exe,"

Close Registry Editor.

Step 4

Delete this registry value

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Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Network

In the left panel, double-click the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Microsoft>Windows NT>CurrentVersion>Network

In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:UID = "{Computer name}_{Random numbers}"

In the left panel, double-click the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SYSTEM>CurrentControlSet> Services>SharedAccess>Parameters> FirewallPolicy>StandardProfile

In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:EnableFirewall = "0"

Close Registry Editor.

Step 5

Search and delete this folder

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Please make sure you check the Search Hidden Files and Folders checkbox in the More advanced options option to include all hidden folders in the search result.

%System%\lowsec

To delete the malware/grayware folder:

Right-click Start then click Search... or Find..., depending on the version of Windows you are running.

In the Named input box, type:

%System%\lowsec

In the Look In drop-down list, select My Computer, then press Enter.

Once located, select the folder then press SHIFT+DELETE to permanently delete the folder.

Step 6

Restart in normal mode and scan your computer with your Trend Micro product for files detected as TSPY_ZBOT.SMD. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.